Audrey Cameron

Nanogels and microgels: The new polymeric materials playground

Microgels, or intramolecularly crosslinked macromolecules (ICMs), have been known for a number of years. They are formed during the polymerization of polyfunctional precursors en-route, but at incomplete reaction, to the macrogelation predicted by the theories of gelation initially propounded by Carothers and Flory. These gelation theories did not predict that such microgels made in solution could be prepared from such polyfunctional reactive solutions at complete reaction and high concentrations, without gelation. Microgels have been successfully and usefully prepared, however, at complete conversion of their contained reactive groups by the use of either aqueous or non-aqueous dispersion polymerization in which surface active agents are utilized to contain the polymerization to isolated submicron-size domains. The progression towards macrogelation is constrained to the maximum size of the dispersed domains. This paper demonstrates the contrasting general observation that macrogelation in solvents of such polyfunctional reactive precursors cannot occur below a Critical Gelation Concentration (CGC) if a carefully selected match of solvent solubility parameters for the polymerization solvent and the formed polymer is made. In some cases the addition of only ca. ten percent wlw of solvent is required to completely prevent macrogelation at complete conversion. In addition polymerization the molecular weight of the produced ICMs may be varied in a simple controllable manner from the low thousands (nanogels) to many millions (microgels) simply by the choice of concentration at which they are prepared. The products are a distinct form of polymer which is quite different to the linear analogue and almost certainly these solution-prepared products are different to the microgels formed by aqueous dispersion polymerization techniques. This new solution technique provides a simple and general new method for the ready synthesis and design of an enormous range of bespoke globular polymers having both fundamental academic interest and potential commercial utility.

A simple method for the quantitative analysis of resin bound thiol groups

Abstract Non-aqueous solutions of Ellmans reagent [5,5′-dithio(2-nitrobenzoic acid), DTNB] can be used to quantify thiols supported on macroporous polystyrene and TentaGel resins. Organic solutions of Ellmans reagent may also be used as a qualitative tests for thiols on a wider range of solid supports.

Enablers of help-seeking for deaf and disabled children following abuse and barriers to protection: a qualitative study

Research internationally has highlighted the increased vulnerability of deaf or disabled children to abuse and the frequently inadequate response of services. However, first-hand accounts of deaf or disabled children have rarely been sought. This paper reports selected findings from one of the first studies exploring deaf and disabled children’s experiences of help-seeking following maltreatment. Innovative and sensitive research methods were employed to support ten deaf or disabled people (children and adults) to take part in guided conversations. The study identifies three enablers of help-seeking of deaf or disabled children: the capacity of adults to detect abuse and respond to disclosures, supportive relationships or circumstances which facilitate disclosure; and, for Deaf children, access to registered interpreters. Barriers to protection related to these are also discussed. Recommendations directed at policy makers, practitioners and families include: education and awareness raising amongst practitioners, children, parents and carers; addressing deaf and disabled children’s social isolation; providing comprehensive support services that address the needs of the child holistically; ensuring the voice of the child is heard; routine access to registered interpreters for Deaf children within mainstream and specialist services and measures to address disablism at a local and institutional level.

Enablers of help‐seeking for deaf children and disabled children following abuse and barriers to protection: a qualitative study

Research internationally has highlighted the increased vulnerability of deaf or disabled children to abuse and the frequently inadequate response of services. However, first-hand accounts of deaf or disabled children have rarely been sought. This paper reports selected findings from one of the first studies exploring deaf and disabled children’s experiences of help-seeking following maltreatment. Innovative and sensitive research methods were employed to support ten deaf or disabled people (children and adults) to take part in guided conversations. The study identifies three enablers of help-seeking of deaf or disabled children: the capacity of adults to detect abuse and respond to disclosures, supportive relationships or circumstances which facilitate disclosure; and, for Deaf children, access to registered interpreters. Barriers to protection related to these are also discussed. Recommendations directed at policy makers, practitioners and families include: education and awareness raising amongst practitioners, children, parents and carers; addressing deaf and disabled children’s social isolation; providing comprehensive support services that address the needs of the child holistically; ensuring the voice of the child is heard; routine access to registered interpreters for Deaf children within mainstream and specialist services and measures to address disablism at a local and institutional level.

Deaf Students Using Sign Language in Mainstream Science Classrooms

We introduce the work of the British Sign Language (BSL) glossary of technical science terms, based at the Scottish Sensory Centre at the University of Edinburgh. This online glossary is designed to support deaf students and staff. BSL has previously not had a wide range of technical vocabulary and in this chapter we discuss some of the linguistic features of the new vocabulary contributed by deaf scientists and sign linguists. We explore ways that mainstream science teachers are prepared to deal with deaf issues in the UK, and how specialist teachers of deaf children are trained to support them. We review the linguistic and pedagogic issues relating to teaching science to deaf children who sign, discussing the complexities of working in a mainstream science class with sign language interpreters. A course developed by the Scottish Sensory Centre for science teachers and support staff based on the work of the Glossary is described. Finally, the professional development course is evaluated by science teachers, teachers of deaf children and BSL/English interpreters.

719 Enablers of help-seeking and protection from abuse for deaf and disabled children: a qualitative study

Background Research internationally has highlighted the increased vulnerability of disabled children to abuse and the often poor response of services. Very few studies, however, have explored disabled children’s experiences of help-seeking. This paper reports selected findings from a study, commissioned by the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, examining the help-seeking experiences of deaf and disabled children who had been abused. The paper focuses on enablers of help-seeking and protection from abuse Methods The research aimed to better understand the experiences of abused deaf and disabled children and identify enablers and barriers, in terms of disclosure, recognition and response, within the child protection system. Interviews were conducted with 10 children and adults abused in childhood, including some who came into contact with child protection services and some who did not. The definition of a referral having been made and recorded by the relevant statutory services was based on the participant’s recollection; this was not something we were in a position to verify. Our starting point was always to acknowledge the participant’s perception of events. A ‘dialogic approach’ was used to promote participant empowerment in giving informed consent. Results Four key enablers were identified by participants. These include children’s resistance to abuse, the capacity of adults to detect abuse and respond to disclosures, supportive relationships or circumstances which facilitate disclosure and, for Deaf children, access to registered interpreters. Conclusions The implications of the findings for policy and practice are highlighted and recommendations include: education and awareness raising amongst practitioners, children and parents; addressing deaf and disabled children’s social isolation; providing comprehensive support services that address the needs of the child holistically; ensuring the voice of the child is heard; routine access to registered interpreters for Deaf children within mainstream and specialist services and measures to address disablism at a local and institutional level.

Enablers of help-seeking for deaf children and children with disabilities following abuse and barriers to protection : a qualitative study

Research internationally has highlighted the increased vulnerability of deaf or disabled children to abuse and the frequently inadequate response of services. However, first-hand accounts of deaf or disabled children have rarely been sought. This paper reports selected findings from one of the first studies exploring deaf and disabled children’s experiences of help-seeking following maltreatment. Innovative and sensitive research methods were employed to support ten deaf or disabled people (children and adults) to take part in guided conversations. The study identifies three enablers of help-seeking of deaf or disabled children: the capacity of adults to detect abuse and respond to disclosures, supportive relationships or circumstances which facilitate disclosure; and, for Deaf children, access to registered interpreters. Barriers to protection related to these are also discussed. Recommendations directed at policy makers, practitioners and families include: education and awareness raising amongst practitioners, children, parents and carers; addressing deaf and disabled children’s social isolation; providing comprehensive support services that address the needs of the child holistically; ensuring the voice of the child is heard; routine access to registered interpreters for Deaf children within mainstream and specialist services and measures to address disablism at a local and institutional level.

Enablers of help-seeking and protection from abuse for deaf and disabled children: A qualitative study

Research internationally has highlighted the increased vulnerability of deaf or disabled children to abuse and the frequently inadequate response of services. However, first-hand accounts of deaf or disabled children have rarely been sought. This paper reports selected findings from one of the first studies exploring deaf and disabled children’s experiences of help-seeking following maltreatment. Innovative and sensitive research methods were employed to support ten deaf or disabled people (children and adults) to take part in guided conversations. The study identifies three enablers of help-seeking of deaf or disabled children: the capacity of adults to detect abuse and respond to disclosures, supportive relationships or circumstances which facilitate disclosure; and, for Deaf children, access to registered interpreters. Barriers to protection related to these are also discussed. Recommendations directed at policy makers, practitioners and families include: education and awareness raising amongst practitioners, children, parents and carers; addressing deaf and disabled children’s social isolation; providing comprehensive support services that address the needs of the child holistically; ensuring the voice of the child is heard; routine access to registered interpreters for Deaf children within mainstream and specialist services and measures to address disablism at a local and institutional level.

Enablers of help-seeking and protection from abuse for deaf and disabled children

Research internationally has highlighted the increased vulnerability of deaf or disabled children to abuse and the frequently inadequate response of services. However, first-hand accounts of deaf or disabled children have rarely been sought. This paper reports selected findings from one of the first studies exploring deaf and disabled children’s experiences of help-seeking following maltreatment. Innovative and sensitive research methods were employed to support ten deaf or disabled people (children and adults) to take part in guided conversations. The study identifies three enablers of help-seeking of deaf or disabled children: the capacity of adults to detect abuse and respond to disclosures, supportive relationships or circumstances which facilitate disclosure; and, for Deaf children, access to registered interpreters. Barriers to protection related to these are also discussed. Recommendations directed at policy makers, practitioners and families include: education and awareness raising amongst practitioners, children, parents and carers; addressing deaf and disabled children’s social isolation; providing comprehensive support services that address the needs of the child holistically; ensuring the voice of the child is heard; routine access to registered interpreters for Deaf children within mainstream and specialist services and measures to address disablism at a local and institutional level.

Plasmachemical surface functionalised beads: versatile tailored supports for polymer assisted organic synthesis

Plasmachemical surface modification of porous polystyrene beads with allylamine or diaminopropane provides reactive amine functionality exclusively at accessible surface sites, allowing faster reactions than classically prepared materials.